Moments after the 12 January earthquake struck, a few radio
stations that had been decommissioned by the devastating 7.0 tremor
managed to resume broadcasting. Many others fell silent however,
buried under collapsed infrastructures. Many of the surviving
journalists not only found themselves jobless but very often
homeless.

Out of this tragedy came of a wave of solidarity and sympathy as
dozens of young and at times less experienced journalists took it
upon themselves to keep Haitians and the world informed of the
situation, hour after hour, day after day.

Showing exceptional courage and dedication, teams of journalists
and talk show hosts rallied to the few remaining radio stations
that were still transmitting to set up a 24/7 broadcast to inform
the public as to which buildings had collapsed, where voices of
survivors could be heard and which hospitals were still
operational.

Without a functioning nationwide public communication system,
the few private radio stations in the capital Port-au-Prince that
were still broadcasting, opened their airwaves to an incessant flow
of information that undoubtedly saved thousands of lives.

Six months on, although some journalists continue to live as
displaced persons in camps and spontaneous settlements, their
commitment towards supporting the media in the reconstruction
effort remains unchanged.

"Communication will remain indispensable throughout the
reconstruction period and radio will be central to this", says Sony
Estéras who coordinates a network of community radio
stations.

In a country steeped in oral tradition, radio continues to play
a predominant role in the lives of an overwhelming majority of
people.

Information, whether on health issues or the latest in arts and
sports, is transmitted through the airwaves to be picked up
throughout the country by radio hugging Haitians.

Today, more than 3,000 radio community stations have resumed
broadcasting a non-stop flow of information about and for the
community. The capital Port-au-Prince has more than fifty stations
that broadcast a mix of news, views and entertainment 24/7. From
giving a voice to the survivors in the days that followed the
quake, radio stations are now encouraging Haitian listeners and
those from the diaspora to take part in an increasing variety of
programmes covering some of the many challenges that communities
have to face.

Staff from radio stations that had been badly damaged in the
earthquake showed a remarkable sense of duty to keep their public
informed and a high degree of resilience and ingenuity to find ways
to keep their programmes on air.

Basic studios were set up in whenever and wherever possible, in
houses left standing or in some cases, under tarpaulins and tents.
Their sheer determination was rewarded, both inside and outside of
the country. 

Radio Signal FM, which is based in the neighbourhood of
Petion-ville, recently received an award from the US National
Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) for its
vital role in keeping the Haitian diaspora closely informed
throughout the crisis.

The fact that this radio station gave a voice to the voiceless,
and offered an opportunity for them to tell their own stories of
survival and fortitude, gave hope to many who were without news of
their loved ones. 

"Radio kept us all informed with a sense of togetherness in the
darkest hours of the quake", says Sony Estéus. "It will now
act as the cement that will bind us together, whether we live in
cities or the countryside, as engaged citizens in the rebuilding
and development of our country".

The unconditional love of Haitians for diverse broadcasts stems
from the days under the Duvalier regime when only a handful of
media close to the regime were allowed to broadcast. Those that
didn’t tow the line of the regime were promptly shut
down.

At the fall of the regime in February 1986, the airwaves
suddenly opened up. Requests for broadcasting licenses subsequently
mushroomed, and in less than a decade, Haiti boasted more than
thirty community radio stations. They continued to grow, ultimately
reaching the 3,000 mark nationwide.

"All Haitian media and radio in particular want to play a
positive role in the reconstruction of the country", says Godson
Pierre, who heads a group of alternative media.

As for Max Chauvet, who owns Haiti’s oldest newspaper Le
Nouvelliste, he believes the time has now come for the Haitian
press to take a leading responsibility in the rebuilding of
Haiti.  "We represent the public opinion and our collective
responsibility is to engage and guide debates on issues of national
importance". As for President Préval, he has promised to
guarantee press freedom in Haiti.